Pulmonary manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus in Iraqi patients

The clinical features and types of pulmonary involvement were reported in a prospective study of 54 Iraqi known to have systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE]. Pulmonary manifestations attributed to SLE were noted in 38 patients [70%]. The most common abnormality was an abnormal pulmonary function test, present in 29 patients [54%], 28 of them [52%] having restrictive ventilatory defect, while obstructive ventilatory defect was noted in only one patient [2%]. Subclinical lung involvement [isolated abnormality of pulmonary function test] was noted in 8 patients [15%]. Pulmonary symptoms were noted in 25 patients [46%], while abnormalities in chest roentgenogram were reported in 21 patients [39%], however, pulmonary signs were noted in 9 patients [17%]. When compared to the pulmonary signs and symptoms and chest roentgenograms, the pulmonary function tests [PFT] were the most sensitive means of uncovering pulmonary involvement in SLE. No positive correlation was found between clinical, ventilatory, roentgenographic, pulmonary abnormalities and any of the serological and other clinical findings. There was positive correlation between pulmonary function test abnormalities, roentgenographic abnormalities, pulmonary sings and symptoms

Mycoplasma pneumoniae of adults in Iraq

In a study of 150 patients with community acquired pneumoniae, 24 [16%] were proved to be mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. There was a peak inoidence in spring. Apart from two patients with erythema mualtiforme clipical findings were not specific. Radiological findings were also not specific and it was unilateral in 41.66%. complement fixation test was diagnostic whereas cold agglutinins test was positive in less than 50% of patients. Erythromycin was effective in alI, though complete radiological resolution took more than 4 weeks

Sports injuries among students of the college and institute of physical education, Baghdad

This study was conducted during the fall of 1986 on 170 volunteer students in the College and Institute of Physical Education. The percentage of injuries among students was 24.12% [n=58], an extremely high figure, and different type of sports showed various incidence of injuries. Sprain was the commonest among [41.38%] of all the recorded injuries. Female students had lower incidence of injury than males. Review of the possible factors that reduce injuries were discussed and possible advice for the prevention of injuries or reducing their effects if they occur were put forwards

Diagnostic problems in bronchial asthma

Eight hundred patients were referred to the Asthma Clinic, Medical City Teaching Hospital within the last 4.5 years. Proper evaluation, however, showed that 78[9.8%] patients had medical problems other than asthma, mainly chronic bronchitis, psychogenic disorders, heart diseases and pulmonary fibrosis. Proper clinical evaluation and simple investigations were most adequate in confirming the diagnosis of asthma